Substance abuse services needed

Published: Wednesday, January 3, 2007 at 3:30 a.m.

Last Modified: Tuesday, January 2, 2007 at 11:00 p.m.

Dear Editor: Substance abuse is an issue that affects all of us. Most everyone has a friend or family member who has an alcohol or drug problem.

There are approximately 300,000 individuals in Alabama who are in need of substance abuse treatment. Right now, only 19,000 receive services through the public system. Of those 19,000, 65 percent are criminal justice referrals. It has become increasingly more difficult for the average person who is not in the legal system to access substance abuse services. We are in need of intensive outpatient programs in the 22 counties that currently have no substance abuse services available. We are also in desperate need of additional programs that provide prevention services.

The current advocacy movement (Friends of Recovery, Morgan, Limestone, Lawrence, and Cullman counties and The Alabama Voices for Recovery) is enlisting the publicís assistance to influence Gov. Bob Riley to review the budget and increase the amount of funding for treatment and prevention services. We are asking that he make recommendations to the state Legislature that will not only fund existing programs, but also provide funding for new and innovative programs that will keep individuals out of the legal system and on the path to recovery.

We encourage everyone to call or write Gov. Riley and your legislator to make your voice heard on this important issue.

<p>Dear Editor: Substance abuse is an issue that affects all of us. Most everyone has a friend or family member who has an alcohol or drug problem.</p><p>There are approximately 300,000 individuals in Alabama who are in need of substance abuse treatment. Right now, only 19,000 receive services through the public system. Of those 19,000, 65 percent are criminal justice referrals. It has become increasingly more difficult for the average person who is not in the legal system to access substance abuse services. We are in need of intensive outpatient programs in the 22 counties that currently have no substance abuse services available. We are also in desperate need of additional programs that provide prevention services.</p><p>The current advocacy movement (Friends of Recovery, Morgan, Limestone, Lawrence, and Cullman counties and The Alabama Voices for Recovery) is enlisting the public’s assistance to influence Gov. Bob Riley to review the budget and increase the amount of funding for treatment and prevention services. We are asking that he make recommendations to the state Legislature that will not only fund existing programs, but also provide funding for new and innovative programs that will keep individuals out of the legal system and on the path to recovery.</p><p>We encourage everyone to call or write Gov. Riley and your legislator to make your voice heard on this important issue.</p>